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A snowy farmyard with sunlight breaking through the clouds.

2018 Annual Climate Summary

In 2018, South Dakota saw the typical weather extremes of all kinds. New Year’s Day 2018 started out with record cold temperatures and wind chills; the year ended with a blizzard on December 31, with a lot of extremes in between.

A middle portion of a corn leaf enlarged to show tan-brownish lesions with dark brown wavy margins.

Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn: A New Corn Disease in South Dakota

Bacterial leaf streak, caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum (Xvv), is a recently discovered disease of corn in South Dakota. The disease was first identified in Nebraska in 2016 but now has been found in the majority of the Corn Belt states. Under favorable weather conditions bacterial leaf streak can develop to reach yield reducing levels. Like any other bacterial disease, once symptoms develop there is little that can be done to control it in the field. However, it is important to correctly diagnose this as a bacterial disease because it can be confused with gray leaf spot which is a fungal disease.

A hand holding a soil sample taken from a soybean field.

Soil Testing Labs

This page contains a list of nearby state or private laboratories that can be used for crop production fields, gardens and lawns.

Group of men playing a board game outside.

The Emotional Challenges of Relocating

Our home is the physical embodiment of our memories. Unfortunately, our home is not always the best place for us to remain as we reach advanced age.

Two older men walking in a garden.

The Importance of Reminiscing

Reminiscence involves sharing thoughts and feelings of one’s experiences to recall and reflect upon important events within one’s life. The ability to recall and reflect helps older adults remember who they used to be in order to help them define their identity in the current moment.

An older man wearing hiking boots standing on a rock.

Fitness Over 50

We can benefit from physical activity at any age. Physical fitness decreases our risk of hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers.

A small group of children at daycare.

Choosing the Right Child Care

Finding a place/provider that will help be a “second parent” and have a major impact on raising your child can be frustrating and challenging at times. I want to give you a few steps to use when starting the search and offer resources to help find quality childcare for your child.

Baskets of fresh vegetables at a farmers market

Local Foods: Whole Fresh Vegetables and Herbs

Fresh, whole raw fruits and vegetables grown in South Dakota can currently be sold without a food service license from the South Dakota Department of Health.

Diseases & Disorders teaser

Fungicide Resistance: Risk and Management

What is fungicide resistance?
Fungicide resistance can be defined as when a pathogen population is no longer sensitive or has reduced sensitivity to the fungicide that used to control the same pathogen.

A hand holding an asparagus plant.

How to Plant Bare-Root Perennials

Many herbaceous perennial plants are sold as bare-root plants. A bare-root plant is just what it sounds like—a plant with bare roots and not growing in a container. Learn how to select, store, and plant these plants.